Introduction: Patients over the age of 65 are more likely to develop aggressive and variable forms of lymphoma. A nursing assessment of the information provided at the initial diagnostic visit helps identify relevant clinical factors and plan personalised care. The aim of this study is to equip nursing professionals with the ability to identify clinically relevant risk patterns from the initial diagnostic consultation.
Methods: This was a retrospective observational study including patients aged 65-90 years with lymphoma selected by consecutive sampling between January 2020 and December 2022 in the Hematology and Hemotherapy Department of a tertiary hospital in Valencia. Demographic variables, functional status, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and disease clinical indicators were recorded. The statistical programme used was R Studio®.
Results: A total of 61 patients were included, with a median age of 76 years (p25-p75=69.50- 82.50), high comorbidity (Charlson Index ≥3 in 100%), and a performance status ≤2 (ECOG) in 85.20% (n=52). At the first visit, 54.10% (n=33) presented Lugano stadification IV, 44.30% (n=27) presented B symptoms, and 37.70% (n=23) reported recent weight loss. Extranodal involvement occurred in 50.80% (n=31) of cases. Diabetes and hypertension were present in 27.90% (n=17) and 62.30% (n=38), respectively. Central nervous system infiltration was infrequent (n=5; 8.20%). Analytical findings reflected moderate systemic inflammation (CRP= 18.40 mg/L (p25-p75=7.10-66.87); LDH=457 U/L (p25-p75=347.50-778.50)) and mild anemia (Hb=11.80 g/dL (p25-p75=10.25-12.85)). Nutritional markers showed a median albumin of 3.5 g/dL (p25-p75=3.20-4.00). Kidney and liver functions were generally preserved (urea=41.00 mg/dL (p25-p75=31.00–55.50); creatinine=0.87 mg/dL (p25-p75=0.665–1.065); GPT=19.00 U/L (p25-p75= 12.50–27.50) and GGT= 42.00 U/L (p25-p75=21.00–64.50)).
Conclusions: Nursing care plays a key role in the early identification of key clinical parameters. Older adults diagnosed with lymphoma exhibit a distinct clinical profile, characterised by a higher burden of comorbidities, more advanced disease at diagnosis, greater functional impairment, systemic inflammation, and signs of nutritional vulnerability.
